Loretta Ford is an artist, designer, and educator currently living in Akron, Ohio. She grew up in Southern California and moved to Ohio to study Biology & Fine Art at Hiram College. Loretta's lifelong passion for animals, nature, and reading influence her creative work, which ranges from children’s books to pet portraiture to character design.

In May 2021, Ford received an MFA in Visual Communication Design from Kent State University, where she continues to teach illustration classes.